BUSINESS RECIPROCITY

I was invited to talk to a public crowd in the Fil-Negosyo expo in SM Mega mall a few years ago about how to start and succeed in business. And I happened to mention in that talk what I believe to be the golden rule that any business person (or individual) should follow. Now this saying is as old as the bible itself as this is where it comes from:

“Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.”

Here’s a true story that will prove my point.

A few years back, I had partnered with a local IT Training company to bring in a foreign Software company into the Philippines. (I’m leaving the names out as you will see why in a bit). This was a 60/40 arrangement, I had 40% of the profits but I do not spend a dime. They agreed to have 60% of the profits but would shoulder all the financial requirements (How I did it will be a story for another article). We needed an IT trainer who was knowledgeable and seasoned enough to head the training program. So I chanced upon the resume of this guy who stood out from the rest. He really wasn’t that senior and he didn’t have that much experience with the particular software but after I had a chance to talk to him, I knew he was the guy. I asked him how much his salary was at the IT company he was working for at that time, kept mental note of it then told him that I would get back to him within the week.

I pushed for him as the man for the job, negotiated a compensation package with the IT Training company and they agreed. Long story short, when I told him he was to report for his new role for head of technical training, the next Monday he was near tears as his income more than tripled. I had helped him move up.

Soon after, the partnership became a success, project after project we were making good money, but after a year and a half, the IT company had re-organized and the new management had different plans. the partnership was dissolved and the guy that I helped had moved on. Well, at least it was good while it lasted I just said to myself.

Many months later, out of the blue, I get a phone call from an unknown number. I picked it up and wouldn’t you know it, it was him, the guy I helped hire. He was pirated by an even bigger company and wanted to thank me for what I did for him before, and there was one more thing, his Clients from the past wanted him to handle a specific IT training for them. He could easily do it by himself he said, but he just couldn’t do that to me and felt an obligation to bring business to my door.

I asked him how much the deal was and what he needed from me. He said, he’ll only take a small training fee and the rest of the profits will be mine. The deal was for P535,000 and he only took P50,000 for his teaching fees. The project was for next month he said, all I have to do is say yes to it and he would make the necessary arrangements. The project pushed through and several projects more, this time he had repaid me with the same (if not more) prosperity as I had provided him. This is called Reciprocity. And this is why I say in business, the golden rule is: Do unto others as you want others to do for you.

Now, how can you practice the art of Reciprocity in your everyday lives and not just in business? Well, in general, and if you have not yet done so, simply be nice to the people around you – smile and they will smile back at you, frown and they will move away from you. Help them with something that they need help with without asking for anything in return. Keep doing it until it becomes a part of you and you will see what I mean.

In Business, like life, learn to give first truly and sincerely and somehow, some way, some day you will receive something too.

Hello there.I am Rubi .I went to my priest brother-in-law and while waiting for him to accomodate me I browsed a small book about getting smart on money.Your address was there, jotted it down on a small piece of paper.Nearly forgotten it but ttried it now.I just registered and I think “this is the day that the Lord has made”.I am learning so many things already after reading a few articles and I promise that I am going to introduce your blog to all my yuppies nephew and nieces.It has to start now.Education on how to manage finances is a nice legacy to pass on.We the older ones should teach them and spare them from all our trial and error styles of creating wealth.I myself, a new widow is struggling so much and I feel you are God sent.More power to you Mr. Mark So.God bless!

Many, many thanks Rubie, that small book must be Ardy Roberto’s “ang Perang Hindi Bitin.” Yes, please do recommend this site and Ardy’s book to everyone you know. Also, please don’t forget to sign up for the wealth plan on the right side of every page in this site. Have all yoir friends do the same so that our articles and lesson plans reach them in the proper sequence. Keep sharing, keep learning, keep growing!

I don’t know if ‘giving’ time to listen to a friend’s problems can be considered as a good deed, but I felt good lending an ear to a suffering friend today who just needed someone to hear her problems. I am sure I will appreciate this too when the time comes for me to vent my own problems.

business reciprocity= what you sow, you reap= utang na loob = good karma… directly or indirectly , you wl be rewarded….however there instances wherein you train people but they stab you in the back or apply to competitor companies without being being honest about it.. my take on this is : do good anyway dont give up on doing good

Many thanks for being my personal mentor on this niche. My partner and i enjoyed your own article greatly and most of all preferred the way in which you handled the aspect I regarded as controversial. You are always quite kind towards readers like me and aid me in my lifestyle. Thank you.

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Hello There. I discovered your blog the usage of msn. This is a very smartly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your helpful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.

This is true. When you do good things without expecting that they’d return the favor to you in the future good things come back to you in one form or the other. One thing that I find funny is that when you help someone with the expectations that they’d return the favor, they don’t. But when you help someone without expectations, they return the favor even if you don’t want them to.

I agree with you. Very inspiring experience. Truly God said, what you reap is what you sow. So do good unto others and it will comes back to you. If it is not for a certain person, God will bless you by doing so.

Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So nice to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this website is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality. useful job for bringing something new to the internet!

i’d hope that would someday happen to me to have an opportunity to help and be also helped in return because all my life i’ve been working so hard but the money i earn back then and til now doesn’t have the right place to be invested in because i see them flew right out of my hand i’ dhope for really jump start so i could enjoy to God’s blessing the fruit of my hard work and at the same time share also these blessings im about to receive im really looking forward to it…..

Very wonderful, meaningful and interesting story S’Mark. The lesson is very straight forward. Noted sir, I already started the rule.
But sometimes, no matter how good you are there are still individual/person that don’t appreciate your goodness. The moment their success is in their hands, they will forgot/snob you after they get something from you, or benefit from you.
But we as individual should not retain hatred in our heart. God, our Creator and Savior has always ways to blessed us in our good deeds. So for everyone, keep the golden rule in our heart and mind.

Good evening Sir Mark,
It wa s a blessing that you have chosen / endorsed a person who had an integriy and a heart. So far, I have not been lucky: (1 ) many years back, I treated with all the kindness and material help a farmer in Mindoro, even asked me if I would do some business in buying / selling palay including livestock, so I gave him the needed capital and for him to managed it – but after more than a year I only got just a 3rd f my capital. ( 2 ) My brother and I treated an industrial partner ( including his wife and son – as part of the corporation ) as a real family but after 2 years he repaid us back with misappropriation of funds ( his wife and son out of shame abandoned him ) which led to our bankruptcy – perhaps me and my brother’s trustworthiness, kindness, and honesty were not reciprocated or as blessed with the above subject. It seems when it comes to money, a trustworthy person is hard to come by.

When you give cash or capital in the spirit of helping, do not expect anything back. That is why I rarely give capital. Read the story again, I did not give material wealth, I worked hard to give him an opportunity, I let another organization (mapua) give the cash. In the end, I never expected anything in return, but I got it none the less.

“Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.” I think this is also a biblical term which is really TRUE, all good things you have done on earth will be rewarded by OUR Father which is in Heaven.

Hi Mark, nice reminder of humility and generosity. I always greet my former current and students on their birthdays and i was wondering why if it my own big day, very few have remembered and greeted me back. I just smiled, believing that it is not exactly as the same token or gestures that you will receive in the future. when reciprocity returns. Bless you more.

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Praise for Mark and Jhoanna’s Articles

"Hi sir Mark, What a powerful mind blowing technique in eradicating "Money Leeches" even if it seems heartless, the truth of the matter is you have to do it or either you will remain in the same financial state...More power...from Cartagena,Colombia."

-Jovanie Vargas

"i liked the part where you advised not to live just below your means but analyze your expenses and doing substitution instead of Good expenses.... useful first step in meeting one's financial goals....thanks !"

-Patricia Adrueda

"A very inspiring story that I am sure will motivate new graduates/ job applicants. Personally, I've realyzed my worth as an employee to my present job.More power and inspire more new bees...God Bless you, your family and all the works of your hands."

-Grace Lim Buñales

"Hi Sir Mark!

Thanks for the insight you are sharing with us. I would like to share this story to my husband whose working so hard. He might slow down towards his work habit when he read this story.
Belated happy b-day to your wife!"

-Kelly Raquel

"Hi sir Mark,
Thank you for this article, I am an account executive in a printing company and hoping that someday I'll be having my own printing co. too. With your advise I'm sure that It will be possible for me to reach that goal.

MABUHAY ka sir Mark!"

-Kristopher Mike

"People should be forced to perform these exercises before they start their own business. Many failures would be avoided!"

More Praise Still for Mark and Jhoanna’s Articles

"I can truly relate mark, save that i am just about to make the uphill climb towards freedom from debt. i guess NOW is right about the time to do it. super thanks for this awesome blog, keep it up! =)"

Precious David

"Mark, I am both excited and "not sure if I can make it to the end" feeling on starting your lessons for the "How To Make Money Run After You".
But, i'll give it a try and hopefully finish it with your help and patience.
I am a full time government employee for twelve years now, a part-time Mom, a part-time blogger and a part-time businesswoman. But then still, both ends won't meet.
Thank you for sharing! God bless!"

-Bea

"That was awesome Mark. it is truly inspires me while reading your articles. More power to you. Hope I could pass by to attend in one of your Seminars."